St. Johns Lodge No. 144, A.F. & A.M.

                                                   Charlotte Court House, Virginia

On May 12, 1826, a dispensation was granted for St. Johns Lodge in Marysville, Virginia, now known as Charlotte Court House. On December 12, 1826, a charter was granted for St. Johns Lodge No. 144. At the time of the dispensation there was not a Lodge hall, so the Brethren met in the private homes of Brother L. G. Hagerman and Captain William Smith, respectively, from 1826 to 1829.

On July 30, 1829, an indenture was made by Archiblold Vaughn and his wife Jane M. to Thomas P. Hoge, Robert Robinson, Charles Rain and Joel Watkins for a certain parcel of land lying on the main road leading from Charlotte Court House to Coles Ferry at the north west corner of Christopher Hurts lot, thence along the line, for the sum of $107.13. A temple, now standing, was built by the members, and is still in use. With the progress of time, there have been some improvements. In 1950, due to widening of the street with new sidewalks, Brother Louis J. Wirt moved six feet from the front of the building to the rear. The original brick, wood and tin roofing was used, there was no purchase of any other material in the reconstruction.

There are no minutes to be found between 1826 and 1829. From 1829 to 1854, all minutes are complete. Between 1854 and 1898 there are scattered minutes. They show that in the years 1861-1865 this Lodge held regular communications. Due to a technicality in nonpayment of dues to the Grand Lodge of Virginia, in the amount of $7.00, St. Johns Lodge No. 144 was suspended for one year in 1893. The Lodge was reinstated in 1894.